Immobilized enzyme reactors are used in which context?

Immobilized enzyme reactors are used in which context?

• A. A batch reactor used for beer fermentation.
• B. A CSTR designed to maximize mixing.
• C. Industrial production of high fructose corn syrup is made in this type of reactor, which is designed to conserve the catalyst.
• D. A fixed-bed reactor with no catalyst.

Answer: (C)

Immobilized enzyme reactors are designed to keep the enzyme in place while the substrate flows through, allowing continuous processing and easy reuse of the catalyst. In this setup, the enzyme is attached to a solid support and packed into a reactor (often a fixed bed), so product can be withdrawn while the catalyst remains in the bed. This design minimizes catalyst loss, reduces operating costs, and enables high-throughput operation with good control over contact time and conversion. Industrial production of high fructose corn syrup uses immobilized glucose isomerase in a fixed-bed reactor. The glucose solution from starch hydrolysis passes through the bed and isomerizes to fructose, with the enzyme retained in the bed for many cycles. This arrangement best showcases the advantages of immobilized enzymes: catalyst conservation, reuse, and streamlined product separation. The other contexts aren’t a natural fit. A batch beer fermentation relies on living organisms rather than an immobilized enzyme. A CSTR emphasizes thorough mixing and homogeneity, which isn’t the typical design goal for immobilized-enzyme beds. A fixed-bed reactor with no catalyst contradicts the idea of an immobilized enzyme reactor, where the catalyst is the central component.

Immobilized enzyme reactors are designed to keep the enzyme in place while the substrate flows through, allowing continuous processing and easy reuse of the catalyst. In this setup, the enzyme is attached to a solid support and packed into a reactor (often a fixed bed), so product can be withdrawn while the catalyst remains in the bed. This design minimizes catalyst loss, reduces operating costs, and enables high-throughput operation with good control over contact time and conversion.

Industrial production of high fructose corn syrup uses immobilized glucose isomerase in a fixed-bed reactor. The glucose solution from starch hydrolysis passes through the bed and isomerizes to fructose, with the enzyme retained in the bed for many cycles. This arrangement best showcases the advantages of immobilized enzymes: catalyst conservation, reuse, and streamlined product separation.

The other contexts aren’t a natural fit. A batch beer fermentation relies on living organisms rather than an immobilized enzyme. A CSTR emphasizes thorough mixing and homogeneity, which isn’t the typical design goal for immobilized-enzyme beds. A fixed-bed reactor with no catalyst contradicts the idea of an immobilized enzyme reactor, where the catalyst is the central component.